About Us

The Information Systems Security Association (ISSA)® is a not-for-profit, international organization of information security professionals and practitioners. It provides educational forums, publications and peer interaction opportunities that enhance the knowledge, skill and professional growth of its members.

With active participation from individuals and chapters all over the world, the ISSA is the largest international, not-for-profit association specifically for security professionals. Members include practitioners at all levels of the security field in a broad range of industries, such as communications, education, healthcare, manufacturing, financial and government.

The ISSA international board consists of some of the most influential people in the security industry. With an international communications network developed throughout the industry, the ISSA is focused on maintaining its position as The pre-eminent trusted global information security community.

The South Texas ISSA Board of Directors can be contacted, either by their email found in About Us -> Board of Directors or via the physical address:

ISSA South Texas Chapter,

P.O. Box 1915,

Sugar Land, Texas 77487

The primary goal of the ISSA is to promote management practices that will ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information resources. The ISSA facilitates interaction and education to create a more successful environment for global information systems security and for the professionals involved.

The following list includes some of the important ways that ISSA members work toward achieving the Association’s goals:

Provide access to information through the ISSA website as well as an online newsletter and monthly journal.

Offer support for professional certification and development opportunities for security practitioners.

Create opportunities for members to join committees and boards, which provide significant leadership for the security industry.

Facilitate discussion and feedback on key issues, such as the National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace, in order to create a unified voice for security professionals around
the world that can influence public opinion, government regulations, the media and other important audiences.

The primary goal of the Information Systems Security Association, Inc. (ISSA) is to promote practices that will ensure the confidentiality, integrity; and availability of organizational information resources. To achieve this goal, members of the Association must reflect the highest standards of ethical conduct. Therefore, ISSA has established the following Code of Ethics and requires its observance as a prerequisite for continued membership and affiliation with the Association.

As an applicant for membership and as a member of ISSA, I have in the past and will in the future:

Perform all professional activities and duties in accordance with all applicable laws and the highest ethical principles;

Promote generally accepted information security current best practices and standards;

Maintain appropriate confidentiality of proprietary or otherwise sensitive information encountered in the course of professional activities;

Discharge professional responsibilities with diligence and honesty;

Refrain from any activities which might constitute a conflict of interest or otherwise damage the reputation of employers, the information security profession, or the Association; and

Not intentionally injure or impugn the professional reputation or practice of colleagues, clients, or employers.

This is the most current version of the South Texas chapter bylaws. It includes changes approved by the chapter Board of Directors in November 2012, and ratified by the general membership during the December 13th 2012 general membership meeting.

BYLAWS

OF THE

SOUTH TEXAS (HOUSTON) CHAPTER

OF THE

INFORMATION SYSTEMS SECURITY ASSOCIATION INC.

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of this organization shall be the South Texas (Houston) Chapter, Information Systems Security Association, Inc., (ISSA) hereafter referred to as the “Chapter”.

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

The primary purpose of the Chapter is to promote the education of its members for the improvement and development of their capabilities relating to the security of information system processing, pursuant to Section 501 (c)(6) of the 1954 Internal Revenue Code.

More specifically the objectives of the Chapter are (a) to promote the education of, and help expand the knowledge and skills of its members in the interrelated fields of information systems security, and information or data processing; (b) to encourage a free exchange of information security techniques, approaches, and problem solving by its members; (c) to provide adequate communication to keep members abreast of current events in information processing and security which can be beneficial to them and their employers; and (d) to communicate to management and to systems and information processing professionals the importance of establishing controls necessary to ensure the secure organization and utilization of information processing resources.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. Membership in the Chapter is based upon one having primary interest and active involvement in information systems security in the private or public sector. In addition, membership is contingent upon interest in the purposes and objectives of the Chapter as stated in Article II, and observance of the ISSA Code of Ethics as a prerequisite for and as a condition of continued affiliation with the Chapter. Membership is subject to provisions of the ISSA Articles of Incorporation, and the bylaws of ISSA and the Chapter, and to rules established by the ISSA and Chapter Board of Directors.

There are two categories of membership:
General Members; (i) Professionals who have as their primary responsibility information systems security in the private or public sector, or professionals supplying information systems security consulting services to the private or public sector; or (ii) Educators, attorneys, and law enforcement officers having a vested interest in information/data security; or (iii) Professionals with primary responsibility for marketing or supplying security equipment or products.

Student Members: Full-time students interested in a career in or dealing with information systems security.

SECTION 2. The Chapter Board of Directors, at their discretion, may provide for other classes of membership.

SECTION 3. Members who maintain their membership by payment of dues are required under Article VII of the Bylaws and who otherwise qualify shall be considered in good standing and entitled to full privilege of membership. The membership year shall be from 1 January to 31 December.

SECTION 4. Membership may be terminated if payment of the annual Chapter dues has not been received by the Treasurer of the Chapter as provided for in Article VII.

SECTION 5. Any member may resign at any time, but such resignation shall not relieve the resigning individual from payment of dues for the expired portion of the current fiscal year or give any right to rebate of dues or any right to a pro rata or other share of the assets of the Chapter.

SECTION 6. The Board of Directors, at any meeting at which a quorum is present may, by a two-thirds vote of those present terminate the membership of any member who in its judgment has violated the Bylaws, Code of Ethics, or who has been guilty of conduct detrimental to the interests of the Chapter of ISSA, provided that such person shall have been granted an opportunity for a hearing before the Board. The Board shall cause at least thirty days’ (30) noticed of the hearing to be given in writing, delivered by registered mail, to the member against whom charges may be preferred. Such action by the Board of Directors shall be final and shall cancel all rights, interests or privileges of such member in the service or resources of the Chapter.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

SECTION 1. The officers of the Chapter must be general members in good standing as of the date of their election and meet the qualifications and requirements for the position they hold. These officers shall be:

President

Vice President

Recording Secretary

Treasurer

Membership Director

Communications Director

Correspondence Director

Web Site director

Education Director

Marketing Promotions Director

Sponsor Relations Director, and

Professional Association Liaison.

These officers shall constitute the Board of Directors. The President shall act as Chairperson thereof.

SECTION 2. The President shall be the executive head of the Chapter and shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter. The President shall have the power to call special meetings if deemed necessary for the benefit of the Chapter and shall have the deciding vote in case of tied decision.

The President shall cause the Chapter Bylaws to be reviewed each year by the Chapter Board of Directors. This review shall be for the purpose of familiarizing each Board Member with the duties and responsibilities of their office and to identify any changes that may be required to keep the Bylaws current.

SECTION 3. The Vice President and Program Directorshall attend to the duties of the President in his/her absence or in case the President’s office may become vacant for any cause whatever, and shall attend to any other duties as the President may require. The Vice President and Program Director shall also have primary responsibility for planning the program for the membership monthly meetings.

The Program Director may appoint up to three (3) non-voting Assistant Program Directors, with ratification by the board, who shall become coordinators of event programs or tracks as assigned by the Program Director.

SECTION 4. The Recording Secretary shall record and keep minutes of all meetings, and shall maintain the official records of the Chapter.

SECTION 5. The Treasurer shall collect all membership dues and other monies or articles of value belonging to the Chapter, and shall keep an accurate account of all treasury receipts, expenditures, and deposits. The Treasurer will assist in the development and maintenance of an annual budget for chapter operations and submitting a budget for Board of Directors approval at the beginning of the board term. The chapter member who holds the position of Treasurer is required to have been an ISSA chapter member in good standing for two years and should have prior work experience or education in financial management or financial audit.

SECTION 6. The Membership Director shall review all membership applications for eligibility. Provide reports to the Board on membership statistics and assist with the efforts to retain existing members and recruitment of new members. The chapter member who holds the position of Membership Director will uphold and abide by the privacy policies for member information established by ISSA International and the policies established by the ISSA South Texas Chapter. The Membership Director will be required to sign an agreement pertaining to the privacy, use and disclosure of membership information, and shall develop processes to reconcile with other directors as needed.

SECTION 7. The Communications Director shall establish policy for and coordinate content, methods, and consistency of overall communications between the Board and the Chapter membership. The Communications Director shall act as the publisher and chief editor for the Chapter Newsletter and announcements, that is, provide or arrange for content, as well as, collect and update important information, evaluate and recommend website function upgrades and significant changes to be reviewed and approved by the Board. The Communications Director shall also arrange for and manage the Chapter’s media contracts, web hosting contract, event management tools and social media. The Communications Director shall also perform any other duties customarily associated with the office of Communications Director.

SECTION 8. The Correspondence Director shall at the direction of the Chapter President, transmit and respond to all Chapter correspondence between the Board and the Membership including transmission of the Chapter Newsletter via appropriate media. The Correspondence Director shall also maintain sufficient address information to ensure that all members in good standing are notified of meetings, and that sufficient address lists, both member and non-member, be maintained to ensure receipt of all other correspondence necessary to conduct Chapter business. The Correspondence Director shall also maintain participant lists and content of social media. The Correspondence Director shall also perform other duties customary with the position of Correspondence Secretary.

SECTION 9. The Web Site Director shall manage and maintain a well-functioning and effective Chapter web site that accurately reflects Chapter information, programs, important messages, and support information of value to the members. The Web Site Director shall arrange for web hosting support, technical support, update date of Board approved web site content, make general technology recommendations, and for the implementation of Board approved technology changes and updates. The Web Site Director will maintain links to other web sites and applications as designated by the Board, such as, an event management application, and also ensure the differentiation and appropriate access for publically available, members only, member specific, and Board only partitions. The Web Site Director is responsible for other duties customary with the position, such as, maintaining current software security updates and patches, maintain logs, and perform investigations into web site activity as requested.

SECTION 10. The Education Director shall manage and oversee all educational activities of the Chapter and will be responsible for the coordination of Chapter-sponsored educational offerings including but not limited to: certification study groups, member workshops and to serve as a coordinator for the Chapter’s support of student chapters. In addition the Education Director will serve as an advisor to assist the Board in the selection of general meeting topics, speakers or presenters. All educational offerings will be approved by the Board of Directors.

The Education Director may appoint up to three (3) non-voting Assistant Directors of Education, ratified by the board, to coordinate education programs and tracks as assigned by the Education Director.

SECTION 11. The Marketing Promotions Director is responsible for creating and heightening awareness of the Chapter in the South Texas area through media and supporting materials, as well as, conference exhibits. Marketing activities should serve to create and reinforce a positive impression of ISSA South Texas among current and prospective members. The overall message is that ISSA South Texas offers information security professionals a membership organization that has value for members through networking, education, professional growth, and promotion of best practices. Marketing activities include, but are not limited to: meeting notification through third party media, exhibits at conferences and speaking opportunities to the business community. The Marketing Promotions Director shall develop and coordinate marketing campaigns promoting Chapter events, as well as, joint organization events. The Marketing Promotions Director shall also conduct externally facing campaigns to promote the Chapter’s education events.

SECTION 12. The Sponsor Relations Director is responsible to develop and administer the Chapter’s sponsorship program including annual, monthly meeting, education events, and special event sponsors. Specifically, the Sponsor Relations Director shall seek and secure sponsors for monthly luncheons and other Chapter events and courses, as well as conveying requirements regarding sponsors and sponsorship.

SECTION 13. The Professional Association Liaison develops cooperative relationships with professional association partners to provide education on security awareness and best practice. The Professional Association Liaison also coordinates professional organization participation in Chapter education events, e.g., law enforcement, healthcare, energy, and government. The Professional Association Liaison acts as a focal point for information sharing and joint program opportunities with professional associations, e.g., (ISC)2, ISACA, CFE, ASIS, and other interfaces to local conferences.

SECTION 14. All Past Presidents not holding a current office and retaining active membership shall be privileged to attend such meetings held by the Board of Directors, to act only in an advisory capacity and without power to vote.

SECTION 15. The Board of Directors shall manage the business of the Chapter. A quorum for Board business shall consist of at least half of the board members holding office. This Board may, from time to time, establish special committees for various purposes as required.

SECTION 16. In case of Board vacancy other than the Office of President such vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the President, upon the advice of the remaining Board members, and subject to the consent of a majority of the membership attending the next general meeting.

SECTION 17. On a motion and second from the membership at a general meeting, an officer shall be held before the Chapter for malfeasance of duty. A two-thirds majority of all members shall be required for removal from office.

SECTION 18. The President may appoint up to six (6) Industry Representatives to the Board of Directors from the general membership. The Industry Representatives will be used in an advisory capacity only and will have no voting power on the Board.

SECTION 19. When the Board considers, approves and votes upon matters concerning the chapter outside of the boundaries and procedures of a normal board meeting, that is when all board members are not in synchronous and concurrent attendance, as is the case in group email messaging, the board must follow a procedure that ensures:( i.) quorum requirements are met (ii.) that motions put before the board are clearly defined in writing and distributed to all voting board members ( iii.) a time period is defined in which voting board members have to debate and discuss before a vote is called. (iv.) the motion and second is reintroduced by the presiding officer and a reasonable time period is defined during which votes are to be submitted. (v.) when the time period has expired or a majority of the quorum has voted, whichever happens first, the vote will be recorded by the recording secretary and the action made by the board on the motion is in effect. (vi.) at the next board meeting a special minutes of board actions will be submitted to the board for approval after the reading of the last meeting minutes.

ARTICLE V

ELECTIONS

SECTION 1. The Board of Directors shall be elected by popular vote, each general member in good standing to be entitled to one vote.

SECTION 2. The Nominating Committee shall consist of a Past President (preferably the Immediate Past President) who will serve as the Nominating Committee Chairperson and one other member in good standing, selected by the Board of Directors at the October meeting of each year. Members in good standing may volunteer for this function.

SECTION 3. The Nominating Committee Chairperson shall prepare and distribute election ballots at the December meeting.

SECTION 4. Elections shall be held at the December meeting of each year.

SECTION 5. Election results shall be announced at the December meeting.

SECTION 6. The term of office shall consist of one year commencing at the conclusion of the December meeting.

ARTICLE VI

MEETINGS

SECTION 1. The regular meeting of the Chapter shall be held the second Thursday of each month.

SECTION 2. The Board of Directors may call special meetings at any time upon ten day written notice to all members of the Chapter.

SECTION 3. At all meetings, a minimum of ten members in attendance shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

SECTION 4. The order of business at regular meetings shall be as follows:
a. Call to Order
b. Reading and Approval of Minutes of Last Meeting
c. Reading of Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting
d. Report of the Treasurer
e. Reports of Special Committees
f. Unfinished Business
g. New Business
h. Special Announcements
i. Program Agenda
j. Adjournment

SECTION 5. The order of business may be revised or dispensed with by the Board member presiding, if circumstances decree that such action be taken.

SECTION 6. The presiding Board member shall have the authority to appoint a Sergeant at Arms to preserve order and execute commands at any Chapter function.

SECTION 7. Guests may be invited to regular meetings. If a guest attends more than three meetings in the same year, that person should be approached for membership.

ARTICLE VII

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION

SECTION 1. Annual dues shall be due and payable at the beginning of each calendar year. Additional fees may be required as the Board of Directors direct, with the approval of a majority of members in good standing. ISSA International Headquarters will collect dues. Of the dues collected from each member, Chapter dues will be forwarded to the Chapter by ISSA International. Payment of dues and fees shall be made in U.S. dollars or the equivalent based on the official exchange rate on the due date of the billing.

SECTION 2. The amount of annual chapter dues shall be recommended by the Board of Directors and shall be approved by a two-thirds vote of the members in attendance during a regular meeting. Any proposed change to the chapter dues must be publicized to the chapter members at least two weeks prior to the regular meeting at which the vote on the change would take place.

SECTION 3. Bank accounts in the name of the Chapter shall be established and maintained as directed by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 5. An Audit Committee consisting of two members in good standing shall be appointed by the President at the January meeting of each year. These individuals shall not be members of the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee shall be responsible to examine all financial records of the Chapter and provide a report of its findings and recommendations to the membership at the March meeting. This report shall be in writing, and shall be maintained as part of the permanent records of the Chapter.

SECTION 6. The fiscal year of the Chapter shall be January 1 through December 31.

ARTICLE VIII

LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY

SECTION 1. The Chapter shall be fully and solely responsible for its own legal and financial affairs, and shall hold harmless the management firm for ISSA, International, by reasons of their affiliations, from any lawsuits, damages, other expenses or liabilities arising out of the activities of the Chapter.

SECTION 2. The Chapter shall not be responsible, or liable, for any lawsuits, damages, other expenses or liabilities arising out of the activities of ISSA, International.

ARTICLE IX

HEADQUARTERS

SECTION 1. The Headquarters of the South Texas (Houston) Chapter shall be located in the State of Texas, at the address designated by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS

SECTION 1.– These Bylaws may be amended, repealed, or added to in the following manner only:
a. Ten percent of the members of the Chapter may at any time propose in writing, signed by them and addressed to the Recording Secretary, the amendment or repeal of any existing provision of, or the addition of any new provision to the Bylaws. Any member of the Board of Directors may propose in writing the amendment or repeal or any existing provision of, or the addition of any new provision to the Bylaws.

b. Such proposed amendments, repeals, or additions shall be presented at the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors. No such proposed amendment, repeal, or addition shall be considered at any meeting of the Board of Directors unless notice of the proposal has been given to each member of the Board not less than 10 days prior to the meeting.

c. At the meeting of the Board of Directors called in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph b. above, the proposed amendment, repeal, or addition to the Bylaws shall be considered and voted upon by the members present. If, at the meeting, a quorum being present, two-thirds of the total number of directors present vote in favor of such amendment, repeal, or addition, it shall be considered as adopted by the Board of Directors. Such amendments, repeals, or additions to these Bylaws shall be presented to the membership at the next regular meeting of the Chapter for ratification.

d. Amendments to these Bylaws shall become effective after ratification by the Chapter members at a regular meeting on the date specified by the Board of Directors.

APPROVED ON THIS _____ DAY OF __________ ________ AT ________ , ______